$$$$
Whiskey barGlenwood South
A Glenwood South bar built around 300-plus world whiskeys and rotating local draught beers. Opened in 2016; wine, mocktails, and THC beverages also available.
Signature300+ world whiskeys, Local draught beer
$$$$
Eastern NC BBQNorth Hills
A Raleigh institution since 1938 and one of the oldest barbecue joints in North Carolina. Vinegar-and-pepper whole-hog sells out daily; arrive before noon.
SignatureWhole-hog pulled pork, Hush puppies, Coleslaw
$$$$
Southern breakfastDowntown
At the City Market since 1989, Big Ed's serves scratch-made biscuits, country ham, and grits. The room is deliberately unchanged; breakfast and lunch only.
SignatureScratch biscuits, Country ham and eggs, Grits
$$$$
LebaneseDowntown
Downtown Raleigh's most established Lebanese restaurant. Falafel, shawarma, mixed grill, and mezze across a long all-day window; Sunday brunch adds more.
SignatureFalafel, Mixed grill kabobs, Mezze
$$$$
American gastropubDowntown
A beautifully restored 1906 newspaper building housing one of downtown's better gastropubs. The entire staff holds Cicerone certification; Belgian beer focus.
SignatureBelgian draft selections, Craft burgers
$$$$
Southern AmericanDowntown
Over 400 whiskeys spanning bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, and Japanese paired with a Southern kitchen sourcing locally. NC trout is among the best in the city.
SignatureNC rainbow trout, Smoked catfish dip, Buttermilk biscuits